Method and apparatus for the decoration of elongated surfaces



Jan.4,1938. Q D Km@ y 2,104,044l

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DECORATION OF ELONGATED SURFACES BY@ l o.D. KING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DECORATION OF ELONGATED sURFAcEs IJan. 4, '1938.

Filed July l0, 1936 v 3 Sheets-Sheet? o. D. KING 2,104,044

Filedl Jllly l0, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Err Q sa

nNTOR. BY A u rToRNEY- Jan. 4, 1938.

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DECORATION OF ELONGATED sURFAOEs plied.

Patented `Ian. 4,* 17938 UITEDY-51TA'1ES PATENT', ori-*ICE METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FORYTHE DEoo y RATIoN oF ELoNGA'reD sURFAoEs i Orville DoeringKing, Dayton, Ohio, assigner to Oxford VarnishlCorporaton, Detroit,Mich., a corporation of `Michigan ,Y Y

Application July 1o, 1936,' serial Nacar Y vicclmims; l(el, 10i- 154)V iV Thev present invention Arelates to a method and Vapparatus fordecorating materials, and more particularlyto a-methodand apparatus fordecorating surfaces when anoffset; impression processis f5 used to applya decorative transfer to anA article of. manufacture. Y Y l Y r,Thepresent invention is an improvement over 1 the methodand apparatus'described, illustrated Y and claimed in Patent No. 2,047,718 issued tomy 1 '0 assignee, Oxford` Varnish Corporation, JulyV 1.4,

. An object o f the present invention -is toY provide a method and.apparatus for the decorating of surfaces, the useof which will permitwide variations of coloratones and even designs, ina rapid andeconomical manner. I prefer to vaccomplish these objects by transferringthe inkedV design of two patterns to the same'offset printing rolls andu subsequently,transferring the composite design to f2() the surfacetobe decorated in one continuons roll- -ingmovementw Y, y

Afurtheriobject ofthe invention is to provide anapparatus which willeffectively apply to an offs/et transfer roll decorative designs carriedbya plurality of printing cylinders, whereby several designs may beapplied to the transfer roller simultaneously, one design beingsuperimposed Von Vthe other, or spaced therefrom as desired.'

The specific application of the method and apel paratus herein shown isparticularly adaptable for industrial use'forV the decoration ofsurfaces or articles of manufacture, which are comparatively long,relative to the .width thereof, and' upon which surfaces the decorativedesigns may be apvIn the art of Vdecorating articles ,of manufacture,as, for instance, surfaces of sheet metal, a design may bereproduced ona pattern cylinder Vby a photomechanical process.V Usually, such de- 40signs are etched on the surface of the cylinderr in `suoli a'. mannerlasto form an intaglio' printing surface.V The color, such as ink orargraining paste o-r paint, oftheproper consistency, isthen applied tothe pattern andthe excesscolor removed by a suitable scraping action,as, for in- Astancaby a ydoctor blade. A soft, resilient sur-n faced"transfer `roll isthen brought into rolling contact with the pattern,thereby transferring the design in' color to such transfer roll, whichis 15,0 thereafter brought into rolling Contact with vthe surface to bedecorated, `applyingnthe design in color thereto. 'Ihis process, as wellas variations of such. process, is generally well knownand in use at thepresent time.

When framings andotherjarticles which pre-V Surfaces sent elongatedsurfaces are tobedecorated, it is vC'leS'irabIetol'so decorate these]surfacesthat the patterns or designs Will not be'repeated on theVAsamev'surface or strip. In the past,`this hasfbeen L1J accomplishedYby'pfroviding pattern and transfer 5 rolls having -circumferencesgreater than the length of the stripto bedecorated. However, as thelength of the strip increases, such rolls become unwieldyi This isespecially disadvanta-V geous when the offset ortransfer roll ismanually 10 rolled across the work. Further, these transfer rolls aregenerally made of a gum or glue and glyc'erine composition, and beingquite resilient,

the tendency of the rolls is to becomev distorted i -and this increasesas'the diameter of the rolls is 15 increased. This makes itrdifiicult toobtain accu-V rate productionof the pattern. Likewise, cumbersomemechanisms are required to' mechanically transfer the patternto suchlarge offset rolls; f

Furthermore, in the decoration of the internall 26 v surfaces,especially frames having curvilinear in ternal corner surfaces, such-asVvauton'iotive window frames, the diameter of the transfer or offset islimited by the size' of the Vopening in the frame,

andnot by theinternalperimeter thereof, as the 2,5

roll fmust be of av diameter smallenough to permit the entrance of theroll intoy the frame, aswell asv s to permit the imprint of roundedinternal corner hayingfV comparatively small radii.` .1` Therefore,Y anadditional object of the present in'- 30 vention :is` to provide amethodandapparatus tofacilitate the graining of the elongated surfaces, suchas window frames, moldings and the like .for automotive bodies by anoffset printing process,

. which will permit af design in a plurality of tonesY 35V Vorcolorsmto'be transferred tothe elongated surfaces of such articles bymanually rolling one comparatively small offset roll-along the surfacethereof.

It is a further object of the present invention ,tov 40 provide a methodand apparatus which will per- Y miteconomical graining of elongatedsurfaces by simultaneous application of a plurality of'A designs orcolors thereto.`V`

Likewise, an objectr of this invention is to pro- 45 l ,A

of the oifset roll and independently transferring such designs to thework to form a composite design thereon.

Further objects of the present invention will become more apparent fromthe following description, which refers to a preferred form ofapparatus, especially adapted and arranged for carrying out my improvedmethod. The essential features of the invention will be summarized inthe claims.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, a preferredform of apparatus for carrying out my improved method, certain .parts ofthe apparatus being broken away to more clearly illustrate the internalconstruction thereof; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus; Fig. 3 isa horizontal section through the pattern rolls, as indicated by the line3 3 on Fig. `l1.; Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are Vertical sections, as indicatedbythe correspondingly numbered lines on Fig. 1; Fig. '7 is a,diagrammatic view illustrating a manner of transferring the design fromthe transfer oroffset roll `to the work.

My improved method comprises, in general, the provision of two patterns,the length of veach of which is greater than .the length `of `the stripto bedecorated. These patterns may be in the form of cylinders, thecircumferences of which are longer than the strip to lbe decorated. Thedesigns may be applied to the patterns in any well known manner, such asphotomechanically. However, I prefer to apply .the design to form acontinuous pattern on the roll, as explained and claimed in Patent No.1,944,200, issued to Guido Von Webern, January 23rd, 1934, and assignedto my assignee, Oxford Varnish Corporation. Color or ink is applied tothe pattern, and the excess color removed .by a doctor blade in the.

usual manner. An offset printing roll, having a diameter considerablyless than the diameter of Y the pattern roll, but having a greatersurface width than the pattern, is then brought into rolling contactwith both patterns simultaneously. The offset roller is brought into`rolling contact with the pattern rolls in such a manner that thepatterns are applied in the same spiral path on such -offset roll, onepattern being superimposed upon the other pattern. The work being instrip form, the offset roll is rolled therealong in a path at an angleto the long `dimension of the Work. Thustwo colors may be simultaneouslyapplied to the work by the pattern roll.

The designs of the two pattern rolls may be the same, the colors appliedthereto may differ. Likewise, the designs may vary, or be either in orout of registration with each other,that is,

while the color from both patterns is transferredy to the offset rollalong the same spiral path, the design of the two rolls may register tosuch an extent that neither color overlies the other or that onlypredetermined portions of the design overlap, thus producing athree-color effect. It is also contemplated that the pattern rolls maybe so arranged that the one design may be transferred to the offset rollslightly out of registration with each other, to thereby obtain aneffect similar to that provided in Reissue Patent No. 17,912, datedDecember 30, 1930, and assigned to my assignee, Oxford VarnishCorporation.

While I have described my method above, as relating to an arrangement ofpattern rolls wherein the patterns are applied to the offset roll in asuperimposed arrangement, namely, the same spiral path, I neverthelesscontemplate the application of the patterns to the offset roll in theform of a double spiral,-that is, the transfer from one pattern takingone spiral path on the offset roll, and the transfer from the secondpattern, taking a second spiral path, on the offset roll, in the natureof a double threaded screw, so that the patterns will lie side by side.The operator may then decorate the work with one color, using one spiralpath, and subsequently decorate the same work, or another piece of work,to which the rst pattern had been previously applied, with a secondspiral pattern on the transfer roll, thus superimposing the twovdesigns, one on the other, on the work, rather than on the transferroll, in this manner the overlapping of the pattern may be varied by theoperator for substantially each workpiece, thereby preventing exactduplication of the design on various workpieces without departing fromthe general characteristics of the design.

As illustrated in the apparatus shown in the drawings, .the axis oftheoffset roll is positioned at an acute angle to the axes of the patternrolls, and the offset roll is moved along its own axis, simultaneouslywith its rotary movement. The pattern rolls are preferably rotated abouta common axis, and are constrained from any axial displacement relativeto the transfer roll, other than through the predetermined amount abovestated. This elfectually transfers the design from the pattern roll tothe offset roll, and particularly due to the characteristics inherent inoffset printing rolls, used in this `type of work, there issubstantially no blurring of the design during its transfer. Therelative axial travel of the offset roll is preferably controlled by itsfrictional contact with the pattern roll. The offset roll is thenremoved from the transfer apparatus, and rolled across the work, asindicated in Fig. '7. The axis of the roll is maintained at all times atan angle to the strip to be decorated, to cause the spiral pattern to betransferred to such strip with the grain lines or pattern thereofsubstantially parallel with the edges of the strip. Obviously, thisangle is determined by the angle maintained between the offset roll andthe pattern rolls at the time the patterns were applied to the offsetroll. Such method permits the use of an offset roll having a diametercomparatively small in relation to the diameter of the pattern rolls,and hence, is readily handled by the operator to manually roll it acrossthe work. Likewise, since the oifset roll is small in diameter, there isless tendency of the roll to become lopsided or flattened, astheperiphery thereof is closer to the axis of the roll. This smallness ofthe transfer roll in diameter facilitates the graining of internalsurfaces of frames and the like.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a motor-driven mechanism,to apply a two-colored combination pattern to an offset or ,compositionroll either in a single spiral path, that is, one pattern superimposedupon the other, or a double spiral path, that is, one laid spirallyalongside of the other. The patterns may be supplied with the same ordifferent colors, they may be lined or ruled off, linearly or formblocks, or other geometric combinations in ink or suitable printingfluid or paints of any desired color or description, which designs maybe in accurate registration or out of registration, as desired.

As shown in the drawings, and especially in Figs. l and 3, there isprovided two pattern rolls I and Illa. Each pattern roll comprises adrum l I, having about its periphery a suitable pattern fthe patternroll Illa., and the pulley 38.

plate I2 or I4. k'These rolls are rotatably journalled on a compoundshaft I5, one end of which is journalled in a bushing I6, carriedby anup.- right frame member I 1 andthe other endfof which is journalled in abushing I8, carried by another upright frame -member I9. The two framemembers I8 land I9 are supported by a base 20. ff',

The shaft vI5 comprises atwo-part shaft to facilitate vthe removal ofthe pattern rolls from Vthe machine. As shown in Fig. 3, therighthandside of the shaft I5 comprises a shaft member 22, the inner end23 of which is `jourv nalled in a stub-shaft member24, which com` prisesthe left-handV end of the shaft I5; The right-hand end of the shaft 22isprovidedwith a knurled head 25 by means of which the shaft A mayreadily be removed fromthe machine to facilitate removal of the rollsVIll and Illa. A

vset screw, such as that indicated at 26, is'provided, to preventwithdrawal of the shaft mem- Yber 22 under normal operating. conditions.

The pattern rollsA arecontinuously,rotated byA a motor ?(Fig. l).lvThismotor is supported by the .base 2li of the machine and is drivinglyconnected to a gear-reduction unitA 3IV. The driving shaft 32 of thegearreduction unit carries a pulley 33, which, by means of a. driving belt34, drives a pulleyr35 secured to Ythez'shaft member 24,.V kThe pulleyY3l) isfdrivingly connected'with the patternrolll I0 by, a pin 36, suchpattern roll being in turnf drivingly vconnected to the second --patternroll Illa,'bya similar pin 3 1, and the pattern roll Illa, isinturndrivingly 'connected' to a pulley 38, bya similarv pin'39. Y The latterpulley is rotatably journalled on the'shaft I5 and is drivinglyconnected toan inking mechanism, as will hereinafter be more fullydescribed. Y

-As shown in Fig. 3, a series of' washers or collars 40 are mounted onthe shaft I5, inter- 1 mediate the various units carried bythe shaft I5,namely, the pulley. 35, the pattern roll/I0,

therpattern rolls It. and Ia7 may be adjusted relative to each o-ther inan axial direction yby rechanging the locations of various collars 40.Thus, I am able to secure eithera singlefor double spiral of` theVpattern carried by the patterns IB and Ia on the offset roll mountedthereabove, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Pigment is supplied to each pattern` roll byl respective ink rollsV 4I,mounted beneath the Arespective patternsV and having'their lower regionsin respective reservoirs of ink 4'.Z,whichV is Vsupported between theframe members I'I and I9, in anysuitab-le manner. The inkV rolls-4I aredrivinglyy mounted on a shaft- 43, on which they are mounted`forsliding'movement in anY axial direction to permit alignmentthereofwith their respective pattern rolls Ill and Illa.

Y"'l'lie shaft 43 is preferably removable from the` frame members II andIB to facilitate the rey axial adjustment, to permitY them to be alignedwith their respective pattern rolls. As shown of a roll therefrom.'

Thus,Y

. spiral paths.

in Fig. 4, each doctorv blade comprises a, thin, metallic plate 55somewhat longer than the Width` of its respective pattern. roll.v Ifdesired,A the shaft 5I. may be mounted for reciprocationA in Ythebearings v52 in the usual manner. and constantly. reciprocated inamanner well known in machines of this general type. As heretoforementioned, theparticular mechanism with which this invention isconcerned, is especially adaptable for luse with a graining across thework. f Hence, the mechanism is arranged to have an.:.offsetV rolldeposited thereon,

by the operator, and consequent upon theide.-

, posit ,of the roll'automatically transfer the de- A sign from thepattern rolls IE and lila thereto, x

and Vto beautomatically conditioned to receive another offset rollconsequentupon the removal As shown in Figs. l and 2, l indicate anoffset roll 60 which ismanu'ally positioned in a carriage v6I.``Thecarriageis reciprocably mountedin.VV e

an' elongated guideway 52, which is carried byV aturntable ISB.V As`shown in Fig. 1, the turntable Y63 isprovided'with recesses t4,arrangedto'be engaged by annular ribs 65, formed on turntable lsupports66, which l are secured to the `frame members I'I and I9. Suitableboltsili'l'areprovided totclamp the turntable to secure the guideway'Iin any desired angular position relativei to the axis of the patternVrolls Ill and lila, and

hence determine-the angular position of the pat- Y ,ternk rolls relativetolthe offset roll Eil.V This angularpositon of the turntable controls`the degree Vof pitchof the spiral affected by thev design on theV offsetroll during the transfer thereof from the pattern roll. Likewise, theangular position of the turntable andthe axial position of the patternrolls Il! and Illa relative to Veach other determines Vwhether thedesigns taken from pattern rolls Iii and Ia will be superimposed,

one on the other, in the same spiral path on the offset roll or whetherVsuch designs will be transferred to the offset roll B in'twoindependent The carriage 6I comprises a rectangular frame,

having at its opposite ends pockets lll, arranged Y to receive theends-of lthe roffset roll shaft 56a.

Pivoted pawls 86 and 85, carried by the carriage Y 6I, are urged intocontact'with the offset roll f shaft by respective spring-'pressedplungers 83 and :3,5 to resiliently support the offset roll and it Vand.'both pattern rolls.

In Fig. 1, the offset roll 6i) Vis illustrated at anv intermediatestagerof thetransfer of the grain v Vinsure proper frictional drivingcontact betweenl designfrom the pattern rolls Il) and Iila thereto.

However, when the roll is placed in the machine thecarriage is at itsextreme rightfhand position, in which position a latch portion 'SI ofthe paw'l 8l) is engaged by a coacting catch 82, Ysecured to theright-hand end of the guideway 62. However, consequent upon thedepositing on the car'- riage, by the operator, of an offset roll, theshaftif Gila of such roll engages the pawl 83, as indicated in Fig. l,rocking the latch in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby freeing itfrom the catch, whereupon a suitable spring-pressed plunger' 93,

mounted in the end of the` guideway and which engages the end of thecarriage 5I, acts toevercome Vthe inertia of the carriage and permit thepattern roll to rotate the oset roll and propel it, together with itscarriage (il, along the guide'- way 62; Due to the resilient supportingpawls and' 85, the offset roll rests entirely by gravityi vlo process,wherein an offset roll is manually rolled Y on the pattern rolls, andhence small variations in the diameters thereof are readily compensatedfor, and a driving frictional contact between the two pattern rolls andthe offset roll is insured.

The pattern rolls i0 and lila progress the transfer roll 6|! along itsguideway |52 until the entire roll has been covered with a pattern, atwhich time the right-hand end of the offset roll has progressed a slightdistance beyond the end of' the pattern roll 0 and the drivingconnection therebetween is thus broken. The carriage remains in thisposition unaffected by the mechanism until the offset roll is removedtherefrom by the operator.A

Consequent upon the removal of the offset roll 6) from the carriage bythe operator, the lefthand end of the offset roll shaft 60a. is removedfrom contact with the pawl 85. Thereupon, the spring-pressed plunger 36rocks the pawl B5 in a counter-clockwise direction, causing a lip B1thereof to swing into a position to be engaged by lugs 88 of acontinuous chain 89, which is driven in the direction of the arrow shownin Fig. 1. This provides a positive drive to return the carriage 6| toits extreme right-hand position and to cause the latch 8| to re-engagethe catch 82. The spring-pressed plungers 9B carried at the end of theguideway 62 are compressed under the influence of this drive and act toabsorb any shocks and to thereafter maintain the latch 8| in engagementwith the catch 82, until another offset roll is placed in the carriage.

The carriage drive chain 89 is carried by a pair of sprocket members and96, journalled in the frame of the guidevvay 62. This chain isconstantly driven from the shaft l5, heretofore described. As shown inFigs. l, 2, and 3, a sprocket S1 is secured to the shaft l5, and isconnected by a driving chain 98 with a sprocket 99 carried by astub-shaft |00 suitably journalled in the frame member I'I.

The stub-shaft |08 has secured to its outer end, a universal jointmechanism lill, which is provided with a shaft |92, having a splinedconnection IGS, with a sleeve |04. This sleeve is rigidly secured to ashaft H95, which, in turn, through a universal joint Miti, is drivinglyconnected to a shaft it?, journalled in the guideway 62. Spiral gears|98 drvingly connect the shaft |97 to the sprocket 95, thereby drivingthe chain 89 to return the carriage as heretofore explained.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided amethod of decorating articles having long surfaces, such as elongatedstrips or the interior surfaces of frames or the like, and may bereadily grained, either in two colors or by two patterns, superimpo-sedone upon another, by one passage of an offset roll thereacross.Likewise, I have provided an apparatus for simultaneously transferringdesigns from two independent pattern rolls to one offset roll, either ina single or a double spiral path,'-that is, either one design beingsuperimposed on the other in one spiral path on the offset roll or bothdesigns being transferred to the offset roll in independent spiralpaths.

While I have described the mechanism as utilizing two pattern rolls ofthe same diameter, the use of the resilient offset roll and theresilient support therefor permits the diameters of the pattern roll tovary slightly Without any disadvantageous effects on the patternstransferred I also contemplate using pattern rolls having entirelydifferent diameters. In such instances the pattern rolls are mounted sothat the periphery of both will coact with the same offset roll, byproviding an independent supporting shaft for each pattern roll andsuitable gearing to drive such offset rolls, one independent of theother so that their peripheral speeds at the point of contact with theoffset roll will be substantially identical. Such arrangement permitsone pattern roll to be of such diameter relative to the diameter of theother pattern roll that the patterns, When applied to an offset roll,one above the other, will, for practical purposes, never register in thesame mannen-that is, the periphery of one pattern roll would be of suchlength relative to the periphery of the other pattern roll that forpractical purposes the summation of the periphery of one roll wouldnever be a multiple of the summation of the length of the periphery ofthe other roll.

It will be seen that I am able to produce patterns, the designs or tonesof which, for all practical purposes, would never repeat. It is likewiseto be noted that the mechanism functions automatically to transfer suchpatterns to the offset roll and also to reset itself so as to receiveanother offset roll without further attention by the operator. A

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided asimple, eflicient and economical method and apparatus for thesimultaneous application to a surface to be decorated, of two transfers,each having its own independent tonal variation and thereby I obtain bya Y single transferring operation, from the transfer medium to the work,a design having a double tonal variation and including two singletonev-arying patterns, each of which may be apparent independent of theother in certain areas of the work surface, and both of which maycombine to produce a double `tonal variation design on other areas ofthe work surface.

I claim:

l. The method of effecting the decoration of an elongated surface,comprising applying a design to a plurality of members to form patternsthereon, obtaining a transfer therefrom on an offset roll by rollingsuch roll along both patterns simultaneously, at the same time movingthe roll relative to the patterns in the direction of its axis, so thatboth patterns will be transferred to the offset roll in spiral paths,and subsequently transferring both designs from the offset roll to thearticle to be decorated.

2. The method of effecting the decoration of an elongated surface,comprising applying designs to a plurality of members to Yform patterns,obtaining a transfer therefrom on an offset roll by rolling such rollalong both patterns, at the same time moving the roll relative to thepatterns in the direction of its axis, so that both patterns will betransferred to the offset roll in spiral paths thereon and subsequentlytransferring both designs simultaneously from the oifset roll to thearticle to be decorated.

3. The method of effecting the decoration of an elongated surface,comprising applying designs to a plurality of members to form patterns,obtaining a transfer therefrom on anoifset roll by rolling such rollalong both patterns, at the same time moving the roll relative to thepatterns in the direction of its axis, so that both patterns will betransferred to the offset roll in a spiral path with one patternsuperimposed over the other, and subsequently transferring the compositedesign from the offset roll to the article to be decorated.

prising spacing such pattern rolls from each other on, a common'aXis'b'ringing an offset roll -into simultaneous rolling contact withboth of 4. The method of decorating an elongated surface, comprisingapplying aV designsto each' of two' 4 members to form patterns thereon;applying difi ferent colors to respectivepatterns, obtaining a transfertherefrom toan offset -roll by effecting a simultaneous rolling cont-actbetween Yboth patternsand the rolls, VWhile moving the vrollin adirection at an angle to'both patterns, subsequent# work.Y A

' ly transferring the design fromjthej offset, rollV to the surface 'tobe d'e'c'zd'rated by effecting a vrollV ing contactjbettveen'the'rolll'and the work whilev moving the rollin a directionA at an angle tothe 5. The method of decorating anelongated surface, comprising applyinga` design: to each of two rolls, obtaining a transfer 'therefromto an.,.offset roll by effecting'the simultaneous rolling contact betweenbothpatternroll's and the offset Y roll, and simultaneously causing arelative movement between the offset `roll' and both pattern rolls in adirection parallel to the axis ofthe offset roll, and subsequentlyVtransferring the designs from the offset roll to the surface to be vrollat an angle to the axes of the pattern rolls and subsequentlytransferring the composite de-y Y v Sign 'fromthe offset roll to theworkA to be decorated.

'7.- The method of effecting the decoration o Y s elongated surfaces,bythe use 'of a pair of pattern rolls, comprising transferring a patternfrom each pattern'roll to the same surface area of an offset roll vbysimultaneously rolling the offset roll along such pattern roll whileretaining such pattern rolls spaced a predetermined distance .one fromthe'other,V and while maintaining the axis Vof the transfer roll at suchan angle to the axes of the pattern rolls to cause the pattern from onepattern roll to be transferred to Vthe offset roll in a spiral path andto cause the pattern from the other pattern roll'to be transferred to.the offset Y roll on the same spiral path, whereby one pattern issuperimposed on the other pattern in a spiral path on the surface of theoffset roll, and subsequently transferring such compositeVY pattern Y'from the offset roll to the surface to be decorated. Y

8. The method of effecting the decoration of elongated surfaces, by theuse of a pair of pattern rolls, comprising transferring a pattern fromeach pattern roll to a different surface area of an offset roll bysimultaneously rolling the offset roll along such pattern rollwhile'retaining such pattern rolls Vspaced'one from the other, andvwhile maintaining the axis of the transfer roll at such an angle to theaxes ofthe Vpattern rolls asto cause the pattern from each patternV rollto be transferred to the oset roll in' a different spiral path thereon,vsubsequently transferringosneV de- .sign from the offset roll. to thearticle to be decorated, and thereafter transferring the second designVfrom such offset roll' to thev article linV a superimposed relationshiptothe rst design transferred thereto. Y

9. The method of effecting the decoration of L surfaces bythe use of apair of pattern rolls having substantially the same diameter, comsaidpattern rolls andwithits axis at an angle to the axis of thepatternrolls,.whicl 1 angle com# `bined with the spacing ofthe pattern rollswill cause the design of both of said pattern rolls to be transferred tothe oset roll in the same spiral path, one design being superimposed onthe other, and subsequently transferring the design kvto the surface tobe decorated.

Y 10; The method of effecting the decoration ofa surfaceby the 'use of apair of pattern rolls of diiferent'diameters, comprising spacingsuchpat-L Y 15.

tern rolls from each other on differentbutY parailel axes, bringing anoffset roll intosimultane-` Y ous. rolling contact with the peripheryboth vrof said pattern rolls and with its axis atan angle to thecommonplane of the pattern rolls, wlfiileY maintaining the pattern rollsspaced apart a predetermined distance whichj combined with the angle ofdeflection between the plane of the axes of the pattern rolls and theoffset roll causes the design of both of said pattern rolls to betransferredv to the same spiral path on the offset roll,V andsubsequently transferring such composite design to the surface to bedecorated by rolling Vthe transfer roll across such surface.

11. The method of effecting the decoration of v an elongated surface bythe use of a pair of pattern rolls, comprising providing each patternroll with a different pattern, spacing such pat-V tern rolls from eachother axia1ly,rapplying a different color to each pattern,.bringing'anoset roll into simultaneous contact with both of said pattern rollsand'with its-axisat an angleto the y axesrof the pattern rolls, andwhile maintaining the 'patternrolls spaced aparta predetermined distancewhich,.combined with theangle of de- -iiection between the pattern rolland the offset vroll causes the design of both of said pattern rollsVtobe transferred to the same spiral path on the offset roll, one colorbeing superimposed on the other, and subsequently transferring bothcolors to the surface to be decorated by bringing the, offset roll intorolling contact with such work.

12.A In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a pairof patterns, means to apply color to ,said patterns, of an offsetprinting roll, means to support saidroll in peripheral contact with bothofsaid patterns simultaneously.'

means to rotate said roll while maintaining contact with both of saidpatternsand means to cause Vthe offset roll to move along its axis sieYmultaneously with its rotary movement.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a pairof pattern rolls, independent means toy supply color to Veach of saidpattern rolls, a carriage arranged to receive and holdsan offsetprinting roller in peripheral eontact with both of said pattern rolls, aguideway for said carriage whereby said carriage mayV move in adirection at an acute angle to the axis of the pattern rolls Whilemaintaining peripheral vcontact between both of said rolls and theroller, and means to rotate both of said rolls whereby the patterns willbe applied to the roller in a spiral path thereon. 'i

14. In Van apparatus of the class described, the Y combination of -apairrof pattern rolls having substantially the same diameter, means toapply color to each roll, independent of the other, supporting means forsaid rolls, means to maintain said rolls spaced a predetermined distanceapart, a carriage arranged and adapted to Vsupport an o`set printingroller with its axis at an angle to the axes of the patternrolls whilemaintaining the roller in peripheral contact with both of said rolls, aguideway to support the carriage for movement in the direction of theaxis of said roller, and means to drive said rolls whereby said rollerwill simultaneously rotate and progress in the direction of its axis.

' 15. In an apparatus ofthe class described, the combination with a pairof pattern rolls, of means to rotatably support an oiTset printingroller, a carriage to support said pattern rolls with their peripheriesin rictional contact with said roller, a guideway to support saidcarriage for movement in the direction of the axis of said roller,angularly adjustable means to sup-port said guidewayV While maintainingperipheral ContactI between the rolls and said roller, and means wherebythe rolls may be adjustably spaced apart from each other and means tosimultaneously drive said rolls at the same peripheral speed.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, a frameQa pair of patternrolls of substantially the same diameter, means to rotatably mount saidpattern rolls sidebyr side in said frame on a common axis,adjustablemeans to control thespacing of said rolls one from another,means toapplycolor to said rolls independent of each other, means to support anoffset printing roller in peripheral contact with both of said rollssimultaneously, adjustable means to control the angle between the axisof the offset roller and theaxis of said rolls while maintaining saidrolls Ain peripheral contact with said roller,l and means to drive saidrolls, and means whereby said roller may move in the direction of itsaxis consequent upon its rotation due to frictional contact with saidprinting rolls, whereby the patterns from saidpattern rolls aretransferred to said roller in a spiral path thereon.

ORVILLE DOERING KING.

